Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Services
University Student Health Services
Margaret Roberson
Director
www.students.vcu.edu/health
University Student Health Services offers quality primary health care for treatment of acute and chronic illness. In addition to diagnosis and treatment, the service emphasizes prevention of illness through screening, counseling and health promotion/public health programs. All full-time undergraduate and graduate students are required to pay the student health fee each semester. Part-time students enrolled in at least three credit hours have the option of paying the health fee. The summer fee is optional for all students who will be enrolled the following fall semester.
USHS professional staff includes physicians, psychiatrists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, pharmacists, health educators and licensed clinical social workers. Services offered include primary care clinics, allergy clinics (administration of allergy injections ordered and supplied by outside physicians), women's clinics, pharmacy and laboratory services, immunization services, health education/public health programs and an after-hours phone triage service provided for urgent medical advice.
USHS has office locations on both campuses. The Monroe Park Campus office is located in the Sports Medicine Building, 1300 W. Broad St., Suite 2200, P.O. Box 842022, Richmond, VA 23284-2022; telephone: (804) 828-8828; fax: (804) 828-1093. The MCV Campus office is located in the VMI Building, 1000 E. Marshall St., Room 305, P.O. Box 980201, Richmond, VA 23298-0201; telephone: (804) 828-9220.
Immunization requirements
Health insurance
The Wellness Resource Center
Alcohol and other drug prevention education
Smoking cessation
Nutrition, eating disorders and body image
Sexual assault and domestic violence
Stress management
Sexual health
Virginia law requires all full-time students to submit an official certification of immunization to USHS prior to registration. These immunization requirements, along with the necessary forms, can be found at www.students.vcu.edu/health/immunization and in the Handbook for Admitted Students.
All students regardless of enrollment status, whose birth country is not the U.S. or Canada, are required to complete the tuberculosis screening in the U.S. within the last year.
Students enrolled in health career programs may be required to submit additional immunization information and should contact their school for additional requirements.
Health insurance
The university is not responsible for accidents occurring to students in connection with class, laboratory, shop, fieldwork, athletics, student activities, travel or any other activity.
The university offers its students an approved insurance plan providing substantial benefits at group rates. The insurance extends for a 12-month period beginning in August, or from the beginning of the second semester to the next August, and includes coverage for accidents, hospitalization, medical, surgical and other benefits for illnesses. Married students may enroll spouses and children. The university strongly recommends that all students enroll in student group health insurance.
Complete information about enrolling is available from USHS and on the Web at www.students.vcu.edu/health/insurance.
The Wellness Resource Center
(804) 828-9355
The Wellness Resource Center (aka “The Well”) is located at 815 S. Cathedral Place and is the prevention education outreach component of Student Health. The Wellness Resource Center is engaged in the science of empowering all students to move toward optimal health — a balance of physical, emotional, social, intellectual and spiritual health. The center’s staff is committed to helping VCU students learn more about health through individual sessions, group presentations and awareness events. Most services are free to VCU students. There are many volunteer opportunities for students at the center, including several peer health educator groups.
Alcohol and other drug prevention education
(804) 828-2086
If you are concerned about your use or someone else's use, please feel free to call our office for resource information. Education programming is available upon request. A free online anonymous self-assessment is available at www.students.vcu.edu/health (code word is vcurams).
Smoking cessation
(804) 828-7815
Free Quit Kits, information and individual appointments are available to help students quit tobacco use. Browse www.smokefreevcu.org for additional information and resources.
Nutrition, eating disorders and body image
(804) 827-0231
Education on healthy eating or eating disorder recovery is available through confidential individual nutrition sessions. Programs on nutrition, body image and eating disorders are available to student groups and classes.
Sexual assault and domestic violence
(804) 828-2085
Confidential services are available for students with concerns surrounding sexual assault, stalking, sexual harassment and relationship violence. Staff help students identify needs (medical, legal, counseling, academic) and refer to appropriate campus and/or community resources.
Stress management
(804) 828-0231
Individual stress management consultations are available. Stress management workshops are available upon request to student groups and classes.
Sexual health
(804) 828-9355
Education concerning sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, and contraception is provided to individual students or student groups as requested.